Winter's coming... the weather's turning, the thermals are coming out and the nights are drawing in. So now's the time to finally sort your energy bills and batten down the hatches with some top tips to help freeze (or cut) costs ahead of the bitter cold.

1.

Clocks go back 2am Sunday - remember to change your heating timer. There's no point in it coming on when no one's in. And if you're on Economy 7 or 10 it could cost. With both, electricity is cheaper at certain times of the day, so the clocks changing can mean you move to a higher, more expensive rate. Full Economy 7 & Economy 10 help.

2.

Stop wasting £300/yr on energy bills - it's easy to lock in to a cheap fix. If you've not switched recently, you're likely massively overpaying. Switching's no big deal - it's the same pipes, gas, meter & safety. The only differences are price and customer service.

As prices can vary by usage and region, do a full comparison on our Cheap Energy Club BEFORE the high-use winter period hits; and BEFORE possible price hikes (see point 3). Nikki did: "Took 10 mins to compare and start a switch - cut my bill from £102/mth to £68/mth" [that's £408/yr saved].
Here's the killer point...

If you're one of the 66% still on a standard tariff with the Big 6 - Brit Gas, E.on, EDF, Scot Power, SSE & Npower - you're being ripped off. On typical use, these cost £1,063/yr. The market's cheapest is £776/yr - nearly £300/yr less.

EDF's 1yr fix for new customers only is £780/yr based on typical use and is portable (you can take it to a new home), plus via our Cheap Energy Club you can get £30 cashback. Avro Energy's 1yr fix is £776/yr based on typical use and unlike most deals, charges no exit fees to leave early. But it doesn't offer cashback via our Cheap Energy Club, it isn't portable and we've little feedback.

With prices possibly rising, if you want the security of a longer-term fix, the top 3yr fix is from iSupply at £794 (+ £30 cashback via our Cheap Energy Club) based on typical use, but it isn't portable.

All costs above assume you pay by monthly direct debit on gas & elec. But beware, these deals could be pulled at any moment.

3.

Warning: Price hikes likely this winter - do nowt and you'll pay more. There have already been hidden energy price rises this year as the cheapest deals now cost about £50/yr more for a typical customer than in May. According to Martin, this could just be the start...

"The drop in the pound and the increase in the price energy firms pay on the wholesale market means that I think there's a better than 50/50 chance of the Big 6 firms hiking energy prices by 5%+ this winter, probably by the end of January.

"So let me be plain, if you do nothing, and you're not on a fixed deal, you're already being hugely overcharged and your bill is likely to rise even more. This makes it vital for those who aren't on a good tariff to consider locking in now to a cheap fix deal which protects you against price hikes.

"And if you're the type who can't be bothered to switch regularly, you're probably better off locking in for longer, eg, on a cheap 3-year fix, which while not the very cheapest solution, is an easy one." See above.

4.

Get 'unlimited' energy for a fixed fee with this unique account. If you're on a big six standard tariff you can cut your bills and get unlimited energy. Green Star's Unlimited tariff* lets you pay a fixed amount every month regardless of how much energy you use - great for anyone freezing in their home and fearful of putting the heating on.

Prices are tailored to you - simply provide Green Star with past bills. It then calculates your flat monthly rate, fixed for 12 months. A typical price for medium users is £936/yr or £78/mth. Plus Green Star assures us it'll honour the deal even if your usage substantially increases. It's likely there are cheaper fixed deals, so you may need to balance price with price certainty, and there are £30/fuel early exit fees. See is Green Star any good?

5.

Is it REALLY cheaper to leave the heating on low all day? We separate fact from fiction with this & 16 more common energy-use conundrums - eg, should you paint radiators black? See Energy Mythbusters.

6

Paying by monthly direct debit is cheaper. Suppliers offer discounts of around 6% if you pay this way.
Always give regular meter readings to get accurate bills. If estimated, you could end up with overly inflated monthly payments or face a bill shock if you've not paid enough. And if you think it's too high, you've a right to challenge it - see Fight Unfair Energy Direct Debits.

7.

If you've switched check if you're owed £100s from your old energy firm. If you pay by direct debit, you've likely built up credit over the low-use summer period. Most providers give it back automatically, but if they don't, ask.

If you've switched in the past six years, your old supplier may still owe you. Our Reclaim Energy Bill Credit guide shows you how to get it. Forumite Lorna said: "Just rang E.on - getting a refund of nearly £300. Thank you."

8.

Loyal to British Gas? Switch to BG-operated Sainsbury's Energy to save a possible £240/yr. See BG vs Sainsbury's for full info. Richard tweeted: "@MartinSLewis Switched from BG to Sainsbury's on gas and electricity, saved nearly £600."

9.

Switch without switching to save up to £200/yr. If you think moving firm is a hassle (it's not), at least move to your provider's cheapest tariff. The biggest saving is for those with Npower - someone with typical usage on its standard variable tariff could save a massive £200/yr by moving to its cheapest fix. See switching without switching for full help.

Don't get burned by boiler cover, get it from just £5/mth. Many energy providers use fears of losing your heating or hot water to charge hefty insurance. One provider charges £17.70/mth (as a special offer) but for similar service, cover from a standalone provider can be as low as £9.50/mth - a £98 annual difference. See our Cheap Boiler Cover guide to insulate your wallet from mega costs.

12.

Stock up now on heating oil before prices soar further. Heating oil prices have risen for an average three-bed house from £616/yr in April to £676/yr in July (the latest available figures). This is because the weaker pound makes buying oil in dollars more expensive for suppliers. As prices tend to jump further each winter, peaking in December, beat the hikes now with our Cheap Heating Oil guide with full info on slashing costs.

Are you entitled to extra winter help? Winter can be a tough time. But there's help available, especially for those on low incomes...

a) Winter Fuel Payments. If you were born on or before 5 May 1953, regardless of your income, you're eligible for the up-to-£300 one-off winter fuel payment. If you get certain benefits, eg, state pension, pension credit or jobseeker's allowance, you'll usually get it automatically - otherwise you may have to claim. See Winter Fuel Payments info.

b) Warm Home Discount. If you were on pension credit on 10 Jul, you'll get an automatic one-off £140 rebate on your electricity bill sometime between Oct and Apr, unless you're with some smaller energy firms. If you've a prepay or pay-as-you-go meter you won't get it automatically, but you can apply by 28 Feb 17. Check if your provider pays the discount.

Loan rates have come crashing down over the past couple of years, especially on higher amounts and at the mo there are three market leaders. But be warned: debt's like fire - a great tool, yet use it badly and you get burnt. So if you need a loan, ensure it's planned, budgeted for and affordable. Full info in Cheap Loans, but briefly...

Lowest rates from £1,000-£15,000. You're credit-checked when applying, so best practice is to use our free Loans Quick Eligibility Calc or our FULL Credit Club Loans Eligibility Calc, where you also get a free Credit & Affordability Score. These will tell you which loans you've best chance of getting (not Ikano yet), without hitting your credit score. All are for 1-5yr borrowing, unless stated.

Be warned. All personal loans are 'representative APR'. That means, sadly, the advertised rate needs to be given to ONLY 51% of those accepted. Anecdotally the higher your eligibility chance, the more likely you are to get the advertised rate.

Nationwide customer? Trick to beat the cheapest. If you've already got, or get accepted for, any of its current accounts, it'll beat the rate you get from any bank/building soc (not peer-to-peer lenders, eg, Zopa) by 0.5 percentage points. See Nationwide loan trick.

The Loan Golden Rules.

a) Only borrow for planned, budgeted-for spending (eg, car); minimise the amount & repay as quickly as you can.
b) Pay on time or you may get a charge & a credit black-mark (set up a direct debit so you never miss paying).
c) If you're applying to pay off credit cards, a balance transfer may be cheaper.

Ends Sun. Free £200 to switch banks. Accepted new HSBC Advance* custs get £150 free when switching 2+ direct debits or standing orders. Register for online/mobile banking & pay in a min £1,750/mth for at least 9mths to get another £50 after 1yr. You can also save up to £250/mth in its linked 5% fixed regular saver, plus it has a 6mth 0% overdraft. Customer service is generally only 'OK'. For a full rundown & other options, see Best Bank Accounts.

We always call packaged bank accounts the Marmite of banking. Choose cleverly and they're a great way to get £100s of insurance and other benefits for a fraction of the cost. Yet if your bank insisted you have it, as the financial regulator has just warned again, you could be due money back for mis-selling. So let's do the goodies, then the baddies...

Get up to £600/yr of insurance for £120/yr. By far the star account for us is Nationwide's FlexPlus*. It has a £10/mth fee and overall customer service is rated at 80% 'great'. And while you get 3% on balances up to £2,500, plus extended warranty on new-ish electrical goods, crucially it includes the following insurance, all of which are strong policies.

1. Mobile cover for all the family's smartphones: Now for an iPhone even the cheapest costs £70 a year (see Cheap Mobile Insurance) so if there are four of you, that's £280's worth.
2.
World family travel insurance. This includes winter sports, golf and business, and unusually covers you up to age 74. The cheapest cover we've found elsewhere is £60-£180. See Cheap Travel Insurance.
3. European breakdown cover. Covers you in any car. Cheapest similar cover we've found elsewhere is £70. See Cheap Breakdown Cover.

- Is it worth it? You're paying £120 a year for the account, so work out which of the insurance policies you'd buy anyway, and add up how much they'd cost. If it's more than £120 a year, you're on to a winner. Quick note though, if your main need is travel insurance, Nationwide's FlexAccount* is fee-free and includes European-only travel insurance up to age 74 for the account holder only (min £750/mth pay-in).

Got large monthly bills? NatWest may beat it. NatWest's Reward Platinum* costs £18/mth (£216/yr) and includes world family travel insurance up to age 69 plus smartphone insurance (for the account holders only) and UK breakdown cover. But it pays you 3% cashback on most bills including council tax, gas and electricity, and broadband paid from it by direct debit. So of course if this insurance suits and you'd earn over £96 a year cashback, it's actually better value. We estimate you need bills of c. £270/mth for this to win.

Already got one and not happy with it? Check now if you were mis-sold - many reclaim £1,000s. If you were sold a packaged bank account check if it's worth it, if it is - great (or is the above better?). If not, cancel, and also see our Packaged Bank Account Reclaim Tool info to see if you were mis-sold, like Nicola did: "I used it on a Tuesday and by the Friday Lloyds said it would pay back £3,150. Thanks."

SUCCESS OF THE WEEK: (Send us yours on this or any topic)"My husband has a rare degenerative disease so I contacted my council for a council tax reduction. I got a £731 refund plus have nothing to pay for the rest of the year (£1,150 saved). I've been shouting MSE's praises for the tip."

Bank of England governor Mark Carney has warned of impending food price hikes because the weak pound makes buying from outside the UK pricier - and nearly half our nosh is imported. To get more mince, marg or mange tout for your money, our 33 Supermarket Tricks guide has cost-cutting ideas not to be scoffed at, incl...

Slash £1,500 off your annual grocery bill. Why fork out for 'Finest'? Use the Downshift Challenge tool (works better on desktop) to show how you can chop your bill by 30% by dropping a brand level on everything you buy. For a family's £100 weekly shop, that's a possible £1,500 saved a year.

More quick savers. Take on the supermarkets with our food shopping tips, incl:
- Know when to shop for reduced food. Use our yellow ticket timings table to sniff out the discounts.
- Eat for free. If you dare, a food sharing app links you with others nearby who have surplus grub to give away.
- Compare different supermarket prices. The Mysupermarket comparison lets you check basket prices by store. - Find recipes to combine leftovers. This free online recipe generator helps you find what they'll make.
- Loose fruit and veg can save you a packet... literally. They're often the same as pre-packed at different prices. See MSE Jordon's video on Facebook.

Have your say on constituency changes. The number of MPs is expected to fall from 650 to 600 by 2020 and the Boundary Commission for England is looking where to draw the new lines as the number of constituencies drops. You can use its interactive map of England to see how you'll be affected and then tell it what you think of any proposed changes. The commission will report to Parliament in 2018. Boundary commissions for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are running similar reviews.

Plusnet retains its customer service crown while TalkTalk gets the wooden spoon... That's according to the 15,181 votes cast in last week's phone & broadband customer service poll at least on established broadband and phone providers. Overall 60% of Plusnet's home phone customers and 51% of its broadband customers thought it 'great'. In contrast just 28% of TalkTalk's home phone customers and 18% of its broadband customers thought it 'great'. See the full broadband customer service results.

Q: Why did my car insurance cost go up at renewal when someone had hit me but I didn't claim on my insurance? Mandy, by email.

MSE Tony's A: It sounds like you've reported the incident to your insurer (which you need to do, even if it wasn't your fault).

The fact you were involved in an incident may make the insurer deem you a higher risk, which can mean it charges you more in future. While the renewal cost may rise, you shouldn't lose any no-claims bonus - which is a set discount off whatever the premium is - as you didn't claim.

We understand the hike may feel like a kick in the teeth, but renewal prices are almost always a rip-off anyway, so use our Cheap Car Insurance guide to shop around.

That's it for this week, but before we go, check out this MSE video. As the Great British Bake Off draws to an end, we ask "Do you really need to spend a lot of dough to make, er, dough?" We put a 'top of the range' cake mixer, cheaper alternatives and a wooden spoon to the test. Enjoy the video and let us know your thoughts...

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How this site works

We think it's important you understand the strengths and limitations of the site. We're a journalistic website and aim to provide the best MoneySaving guides, tips, tools and techniques, but can't guarantee to be perfect, so do note you use the information at your own risk and we can't accept liability if things go wrong.

This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service.

Do note, while we always aim to give you accurate product info at the point of publication, unfortunately price and terms of products and deals can always be changed by the provider afterwards, so double check first.

We don't as a general policy investigate the solvency of companies mentioned (how likely they are to go bust), but there is a risk any company can struggle and it's rarely made public until it's too late (see the Section 75 guide for protection tips).

We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content.

Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion.

MoneySavingExpert.com is part of the MoneySupermarket Group, but is entirely editorially independent. Its stance of putting consumers first is protected and enshrined in the legally-binding MSE Editorial Code.